Goldikova easily captures Prix Rothschild for third time

Goldikova easily captured the $392,000 Prix Rothschild at Deuville for the third time on Sunday, her record-tying 10th triumph in a Group 1 event.

The 5-year-old Goldikova, ridden by Olivier Peslier for trainer Freddie Head, and the great Miesque are the only European-trained horses to have won 10 times at the highest grade since the introduction of the classification structure in the 1970s.

Only Green was in her familiar role of setting the pace for her Wertheimer Brothers stablemate, as Peslier had Goldikova settled just off the pace.

As the-seven runner field made their way down Deauville’s straight mile, little of note happened until the final 11/2 furlongs, when Goldikova took up the running under minimum urging.

The remainder of the field appeared to be concentrating solely on Goldikova, who was sent off as the 3-10 favorite, along with Only Green and the third runner in the Wertheimer colors, Evaporation. Opposing tactics seemed to be to try and respond to Goldikova’s move once she had made it, but as they found this was easier said than done.

Goldikova quickly surged clear and was full of running to the lane, having three lengths in hand as she passed the wire, completing the mile on good to soft ground in 1:37.50.
English challenger Music Show finished second, a length in front of Elusive Wave.
Goldikova is likely to run next in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deuville on Aug. 15, where she could meet Canford Cliffs. Her long-range goal is a third straight victory in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.